My Visit to Tosha Monastery: A Compiled Journal

FOREWORD

The following is a compilation of journal entries that I have made detailing the events I have experienced during my recent visit to the mystical Tosha Monastery located amongst the Razines. Please forgive the omission of the dates - I could not keep track of actual dates during much of my entries, for reasons you will soon see for yourself. However, I have managed to put my entries in chronological order, to organize them better.

I hope reading this will inspire you to seek out the Monastery yourself, and that it would give you spiritual and emotional fulfilment, as it has given to me.

Goldia

Entry 1:

I cannot sit still because I am positively distraught. I am hiding in
the hall of the Cadenza so no one would see my in my agitated state, but I fear the harm has already been done. My dear friend Historia has just informed me that people in the city have been whispering about me raising my voice at the Aetherplex earlier today. She said that they were not pleased with my behaviour and that they think that it is not suited to the ideals of Hallifax.

I had only hoped to obtain some money by offering my jewellery services. I did not realize that there was a proper means to go about it. But now it is too late. How can I face my fellow citizens when I know that they all secretly think that I am an embarrassment? But I cannot hide in this hall forever. I need to find a way to correct my mistakes, train my emotions better. I need to travel in search of such a place where I can train to do so. I will prove them wrong. I will show through my actions that I can behave with dignity and decorum.

Entry 2:

I have been wandering for several days now. I learned that the place I am looking for is the Tosha Monastery, hidden amongst the Razine Mountains. The path has not been easy, navigating the treacherous mountains with little food and water. I am not used to such physical exercise, and I have all but lost hope. I was warned this monastery was hidden. As the saying goes - you have to search under every rock. But I am afraid that I am nearly reaching the end of my patience, pushing a large rock in frustration.

The rock slid up through some grooves and...I see a path! But before I could take a closer look, the rock slid back down and closed it. I
believe that I have found what I was looking for, but I need to take a closer look.

Entry 3:

The path is twisty and winded, and it looks like it has not been
travelled on for a while. After a long and steep climb, I have reached the stone gates of the monastery. At last! Written on the pine doors is a script which I cannot recognize. The place is calm and undisturbed by even the slightest breeze. I decide to walk in, disturbing as little as I can.

I see several loboshigaru monks in grey robes, tending to their duties. Although they have kept their fur and robes neat and clean, they look tired and haggard still. Not quite the calm contentment I was expecting on their persons. I greet them, and soon learn that they are seeking training from their Masters on the second floor, but are too intimidated to ask. I feel a little bad for them. I must help them. I assure them that I will try talking to their Masters, and they show me the way.

Entry 4:

The first Master I meet is Enlightened Cuetal. He is a short loboshigaru with black fur and is clad in orange robes, but I can see how the monks find him intimidating. His red eyes regard me as if he is judging my form, and I feel myself lacking, what with all the travelling and starvation. His mouth turns up in a half-smile as he greets me. I soon learn that he is intrigued by the mountain rockeaters, which he has heard are beings of perfect form. He has not had a chance to examine them closely, and I offer to help him by bringing him some corpses. I have seen many, munching with idle glee on the rocks of the Razines. It should be easy to find them.

Entry 5:

Finding the rockeaters has not been quite as easy as I expected. Finding one might be, sure, but finding ten can get slightly more daunting, especially as these creatures love to hide. While looking for them, I also had the pleasure of meeting many scholars and bards, and helped to lead them to the city Library and Opera House.

Soon I got enough rockeater corpses to bring back to Master Cuetal. He gave me a token for each corpse, which he entrusted me to give to
disciples who are worthy of his teaching. I sought out the monks who I found to be suited and offered them the tokens. As each monk received their token, the robes they were wearing transformed from dull grey to a majestic orange, and I found their very bearing to change. Once haggard and tired, their eyes now exuded a quiet strength, and their posture more upright and confident. I felt a tad envious.

When I went back to inform Master Cuetal that I had given the tokens as he instructed, I found he had been waiting for me with a warm smile.

"Thank you for helping my disciples find their path, Goldia. But I feel that this is not the reason you have come to our monastery, am I right?"

Surprised and humbled by his sharp and intuitive mind, I nod and tell
him the reason for my visit.

"Form is the most important part of battle, whether it be a physical
battle, or even a battle with your inner demons." He smiles warmly at me as he continues. "Someone who is perfect in posture and form is always ready for any surprise. Never cease to pay attention to what is around you and always be ready for whatever challenges you face, so that you may deal with them with poise. And that is my advice to you."

He reaches out and firmly, but gently, touches my forehead. "This is my blessing to you. May you be endowed with the most perfect of Form so that you may be always ready to face your challenges." And as he says the words, I feel my posture straighten, and my body tremble with Inner Strength.

Entry 6:

The second Master I meet, Enlightened Maccan, is a frail and
sorrowful-looking loboshigaru, with dark brown hair caked in mud. He is lost in such thoughtful contemplation that I had to greet him a couple of times to get his attention.

He talked to me about a strange spiritual bird among the heavens that he has heard of and is very interested in studying. It took me a while to understand that he was talking about the fearsome roc creatures of the Razines. I have seen them about, but never found anything spiritual in the menacing, fright-inducing creatures. I kept my thoughts to myself and informed him that I would find him ten of their corpses, and set about on my way.

I do not remember where their nests are, but I have been warned to be wary of them if I ever go to the Oleanvir valley, so I have presently found myself there. The place is idyllic and quaint, but I see no roc in sight. I wonder if I have been told the wrong-

Entry 7:

Well, that was something! My journaling at Oleanvir valley was rudely
interrupted when I was suddenly and abruptly scooped up by one of the
fearsome roc creatures. I barely clutched onto my journal as I was
unceremoniously deposited on its huge and foul-smelling nest, filled
with ugly-looking hatchlings covered in down feathers, who immediately began pecking at my skin, my feathers, my clothes. Fortunately I had little trouble fending them off, since I had my trusty lyre in my person, and soon found myself with ten of their corpses.

Master Maccan seemed happy at my specimens, judging from his attention being immediately grabbed by the roc corpses, his face even losing the sorrowful look. He gives me ten tokens which I take to ten monks I find suitable, and their robes turn a snow white as the lines on their faces soften and they take on a calm, cool demeanour.

When I return to Master Maccan, he regards me with a quiet smile.

"I can see that your spirit is agitated", he speaks, his voice soft yet clear. "Your face is calm but your fingers fidget and pluck on your instrument, and when you smile it does not quite reach your eyes. Perhaps you could talk about what is troubling you and I can offer some help, in return for yours."

"Of course my spirit is agitated!" I cannot help but break down in
helpless anger. "I am frustrated that I have failed everyone I held in high regard. I am angry that I was judged by rules I did not know
existed. And I am disappointed at myself for being angry. I do not know what to do..." I struggle to blink back tears.

He hears me out with admirable patience, then responds with a kind
smile. "My advice to you is to not try to control your emotions, but to learn to channel them the right way. Pour your frustration into music, and let your anger be your weapon. It will not be easy, but by obtaining mastery over your emotions, you will learn to let go and forgive others, and, more importantly, forgive yourself."

He touches my forehead with a thin hand, matted with fur. "This is my
blessing to you. May your spirit master your emotions and channel them in the right direction." As he spoke his words, I found my anger
dissolving and melting away, giving me perspective. I was not shunned by anyone, just properly instructed and informed on where I went wrong. There was no malicious intent, and it only felt that way because I let my judgement become clouded with indignation. It was as if a huge weight was lifted off of my chest, but I knew that this was not the end of my journey. I still had more to learn from these monks.

Entry 8:

Enlightened Inthal is the third of the four Masters seeking disciples, with ruffled and matted fur sticking out about his robes. His eyes are milky white which made me wonder if he was blind, yet his warm smile and confident glance at my direction made it clear that he was not at all oblivious to my presence.

He wishes to observe a shark, which he believes is a creature heavily attuned to its environment, and, therefore, the paragon of mental clarity. I suppose I would have to make a visit to the Inner Sea.

Entry 9:

It was difficult fighting the tiger sharks, especially in an environment that I was completely inexperienced in. I found myself thanking the Gods for the Waterbreathe charm, as I dove deeper and deeper into the Sea in search of ten of the fearsome creatures.

Eventually, I was able to find ten corpses, which I took to Master Inthal, who ran his hands over their sleek, rubbery bodies with obvious interest. I was given the tokens which I took to ten suitable monks, and watched in awe as their robes turned into a calming sky blue, as their eyes became more focused and and their gazes more clear.

As I returned to Inthal, I found he had been waiting for me. "I know
what you seek." he says, his voice so clear it echoes through the walls, like ripples on a lake. "If I am right, you seek mastery over your emotions, and clarity of the mind."

"How did you know?" I ask in wonder and surprise.

"I may be blind, but I see what the seeing do not." he says with a soft smile. "When you stop relying on your senses to show you the truth, you see things that you had previously ignored. And that is my advice to you, Goldia. When gifted with the sixth sense, one does not require sight. One gets the blessing of the true hearing when one stops relying on one's ears. And there is no need to raise your voice if your inner voice is strong and clear."

As he touches my forehead, I feel my senses become clearer and sharper. "This is my blessing to you, young one. May you be blessed with the clarity of mind to see what is beyond the senses, and may it offer you the insight to aid your future endeavours."

See what is beyond the senses... That is a lot to ponder on, but for now I must find the fourth Master.

Entry 10:

Presently I have found myself in the company of the fourth Master,
Enlightened Ulan, a tall loboshigaru monk wearing green robes. Much like Master Maccan, he had matted, uncleaned fur, and was similarly lost in such sorrowful contemplation that it took much effort to notify him of my presence.

He sought to study the spiders, creatures that have been known to cause fear in even the strongest of hearts. He explained to me how numerous villagers have visited him to strengthen their hearts against the fearsome spiders. I could not help cringe at the thought of being near one of those horrible, hairy beasts, much less kill them, but I assured him that I would find ten corpses and went on my way.

Entry 11:

Finding the spiders turned out to be the hardest of the tasks I have
been set on by the monks. I looked for them at the Arthar'rt Observatory but could find none - perhaps I have not been looking correctly? I was informed by a helpful fellow citizen that they could be found at Muhanlesh, caverns inhabited by the serpentine Nagasith, the bottom level of which I found the terrifying Muhagli spiders. I swallowed my fear and fought the spiders, but could collect naught but four. In my search to find more spiders, I accidently found myself in the Glomdoring Forest, when I was politely but coldly asked to leave.

Finally, with the help of a kindly elfen from Serenwilde, I found the way to the Feyranti manor, where I could find dozens of black fanged spiders scuttling along the walls. Now my relief at finding them overtaking my fear, I quickly found myself with the corpses I needed.

Master Ulan graciously accepted my specimens and set me about to find
monks who are weak of heart and in need of his guidance, giving me ten tokens. I quickly found them, and observed with awe their grey robes turning emerald green, as their eyes burned with the newfound courage in their hearts.

When I returned, Master Ulan greeted me with a warm smile. "It appears that you have conquered your fear of the spiders out of necessity." He continues with a nod. "It did not escape my attention that you were afraid of the spiders, but you faced your fears head on and proved yourself worthy. And that was my advice to you."

"Failure and roadblocks are inevitable in the journey to success. When faced with a problem, face them head on, and deal with them with calm and poise. Running away from your issues will do you little good, and you might even find them catching up with you."

He reaches out and touches my forehead. "My blessing to you is this. May you always have the Strength of Heart to face your challenges with courage, and the Will to persevere when faced with barriers to your success." At his words, my heart fills with a will to persevere, to see things through to the end. And I realized that I had received the fourth and final blessing.

"It is now time for you now to meet Master Quettle at the top floor for your final challenge." says Master Ulan. "Be wary, for this is not an easy one." He adds as he tells me the way.

Entry 12:

And, now, armed with the blessings of the four Masters and ready to face my final challenge, I stand before Master Quettle, an extremely tall loboshigaru jackal. Warm milky-brown eyes regarding me from behind golden bangs, he exudes a unique aura that is both calming and
intimidating at the same time.

He informs me that my final challenge is to enter the Spirit Plane and best a spirit of the loboshigaru hunter in battle, proving my worth by bringing him back the Scroll of Enlightenment. He warns me that only the true spirit of the hunter will give me the Scroll, and if I return before seeking out the right one, it would mean that I have failed the final challenge.

He gave me permission to make one journal entry before entering the gateway he conjured before me. Here I go!

EntRY 1 3 :

Forgive thehaNdwriting and strange spaCing ifyou ever findthis journAl, for I m wrIting this bLind andheavilyinjured. It seems Iam abouttofail the fInal challEnge, and pay the prIce with m y li fe.

Enteringthe gaTeway, I was imMediately assaulted by the spIrit of
everything that I kiLled to get here: roc spiRits, shArk spi rits, the spiriT s of spidErsand rockeAters. And theywere rel ent less. I fought back but th e re we re onetoo many...and thehunter !
He proved to Be more than quite the maTch, and inthe midst of a da u
nting battle, Ifound , To my horRor, my riFt e mp ty of pur ity du st.

He saw his chance and imMe diately bliNded me w ith a pow e rful bloW
tothe eyes. Unabl e to fiGht back, unableto find a pat h, I stumbLed around and managedtorun and hidE, whoknows where. I hea rfo ots teps. Are tHey
thE
spirits, or the hu nt er s? I do nOt knoW, but eitherway, I fearthis
journeYofMine is about to be cu t sh or t.

If youfind this jOurnaL, pl ea se be so ki nd as to lo ok fo r m y b o d y a n d
g i v e i t a p r o p e r b u r i a l . . .

Entry 14:

It is done! I have passed the final challenge and received my final
blessing, rejuvenating my health, mana and spirit in a way that I have never felt before. And more importantly, I have found the answers to my questions, and found spiritual and emotional peace.

If you have just read the previous entry, you might be feeling a little confounded. It seemed that I had just about given up, ready to draw my final breath in the Spirit Plane, feeling helpless and alone. If so, then read on, for I am about to narrate the events that transpired after.

As I lay defeated on an unknown terrain of the Spirit Plane, cold,
sightless, and forsaken, I heard the voices of the four Masters ringing in my mind.

"When you stop relying on your senses to show you the truth, you
see things that you had previously ignored.." I heard Master Inthal's
crystal-clear voice. "When gifted with the sixth sense, one does not
require sight..."

Of course! My sixth sense! I took a deep breath and cleared my mind of the feelings of helplessness and confusion, and, suddenly, I could feel the room, in my mind, as clear as I could with my eyes.

...I could feel the spirit of a spider scuttling into the room, and I
immediately froze with terror.

"...try not to control your emotions, but learn to channel them the right way..." Master Maccan's soft voice whispered in my ear. "This is not the hunter you seek to fight. You must look for him instead."

"But he is too powerful-" I hesitated.

"When faced with a problem, face them head on, and deal with them with calm and poise. Running away from your issues will do you little good..." Master Ulan's firm voice fills my heart with strength and courage. I ignore the spiders, the rocs, the sharks, and look for the hunter.

"Never cease to pay attention to what is around you, and always be ready for whatever challenges you face.." reminds Master Cuetal, as I find a hunter and ready myself to face him. I draw myself to my full height, sharpen my inner senses and start to play a loral chord.

After a harrowing battle, seemingly lasting an eternity, the hunter
admits defeat and I sense him conjure up a gateway. I am relieved and
cannot wait to get back and restore myself to my original form. But I hesitate. He has not given me a scroll. I do not feel it. The only
scroll about my person is the Scroll of Healing. My face falls as I
realize that this is not the right hunter. But the gateway shimmers
before me still, tempting me with an end to this harrowing journey,
promising comforts...

No. I came this far. I passed many daunting challenges. I must see this through to the end. With great effort, I ignore the gateway and move along in search of the right hunter.

And eventually I find him. The battle is just as fierce as earlier, but when it ended, he bows to me and offers me a silken scroll. I feel it around with my hands. This is it. The Scroll of Enlightenment. I have reached the end of my journey. I confidently step through the portal and offer the scroll to Master Quettle.

"You have passed the challenges of the Monastery, Goldia." Master
Quettle informs me as he grants me the honour. "I now bless you with
Strength of Form, Clarity of Mind, Courage of Heart, and Gentleness of Spirit. You have proven yourself worthy." He touches my forehead and I feel my ailments melting away, my physique get stronger, my mind grow clearer, and my persona glow with vitality. More importantly, I have learned a lot from the whole ordeal, found the answers I sought, and could finally honestly say that I found peace with myself.

Only one task remains now: organize and compile my journal entries so that it might help others who seek such things that I did.

END